Curtain wall



July 14, 4 B. w. EDELSTEIN CURTAIN WALL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1961 FIG.2.

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BERTRAM W. EDELSTEIN MW Ws ATTORNEYS Filed March 6, 1961 y 14, 9 is. w. EDELSTEIN 3,1 0, 3

CURTAIN WALL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 no.9. 1mm

BERTRAM W. EDELSTEIN BY W ATTORNEYS United States Patent ice 3,140,763 CURTAIN WALL Bertram W. Edelstein, Detroit, Mich, assignor to The Bertlo Company, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,652 12 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) This invention relates to curtain wall systems which are particularly adaptable as exterior walls of buildings and the like.

One of the primary considerations of a curtain wall system is resistance and weather tightness in general under any weather condition which produces a pressure differential between the outside and inside of the curtain wall system, examples of such weather conditions being high winds and/or driving rains.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a novel curtain wall system which is so designed to prevent leakage of water or rain when the curtain wall system is subjected to a high velocity wind with a simulated rainfall of several inches.

Another requirement of a curtain wall system is that weather tightness, proper adjustment and attractiveness can be shipped in knocked-down condition and accurately and quickly assembled at the job site with a minimum of labor and time. Prior curtain wall systems have been proposed to meet this requirement but have been accompanied by certain disadvantages with respect to assembly, Whether tightness, proper adjustment and attractiveness of the resulting curtain wall system. This invention not only provides a frame construction within which glass panels are mounted in a novel manner, but also provides a novel means of assembly so as to form a rigid rectangular frame for glazing and convenient assembly with a frame construction.

It is an object of the present invention to disclose and provide a novel curtain wall system of exceptional weather tightness and of facile assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a novel manner of assembling glass or insulated panels in a frame construction.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel construction and manner for precise assembly of glass of insulated panels in a curtain wall system.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a curtain wall system having the horizontal and vertical members interconnected and constructed for weather tightness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a curtain wall system having certain advantages contributing to efficiency, reliability, a saving in cost and ease in maintenance.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of part of a curtain wall system embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken in the vertical transverse plane indicated by line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken in a horizontal transverse plane indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of a corner construction looking in the direction of arrows 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken in the vertical transverse plane indicated by the line 5-5 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a partial end view showing a vertical 3,140,763 Patented July 14, 1964 member and associated snap-on members, with the horizontal members removed.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section view of a modification of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a partial vertical view of the modification shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view of still another modification of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a curtain wall system for buildings. In such a system, vertical mullion supports run continuously from floor to floor and are securely anchored to the frame of the building at advantageous locations. The framework containing a panel or panels is then hung on the mullions, at or near each floor level. In such a system, the mullions provide the structural strength of the wall and therefore it is vitally important the mullions are designed not only to carry the other framing, but to withstand deflection which could loosen joints. A curtain wall is non-load bearing.

FIGURE 1 shows a portion of a wall which consists of vertical and horizontal framing members using extruded I-beam mullions and tubular horizontal members respectively. Insulated panels and/or panes of glass are inserted in the frarne opening.

As an example, the curtain wall system contains a top horizontal member 12, a bottom horizontal member 14 and vertical mullions 16 and intermediate vertical mullions 18. The vertical and horizontal members 12, 14, 16 and 18 define frame openings within which may be positioned insulated panels and/or glass in a manner to be subsequently described. It will be understood that in a curtain wall system, one or more insulated panels and/ or glass panels may be employed.

The vertical mullions 16 and 18 of the frame structure may comprise a precut length of extruded aluminum alloy or of any other suitable metal formed or shaped as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Since the vertical mullions 16 and 18 are of substantially the same cross section, the same numerical designations will be utilized in each instance. The vertical mullions 16 and 18 comprise an extruded section of aluminum metal alloy providing an I-shaped beam designated by the numeral 20. The beams 20 extend from floor beam to floor beam or may encompass several floors as the specification may require. The beam 20 comprises a longitudinally extending interior flange 22 and a longitudinally exterior flange 24. The flanges 22 and 24 are connected by a web 26. Each side of the web 26 is provided with spaced parallel flanges or projections 28 and 30 which are formed during the extrusion of the I-beam, said flanges each having an inclined or beveled outer edge 34. The edge 34 terminates at a predetermined distance from the wall of the web 26. Recesses or grooves 36 are provided in the projections 28 and 30 respectively adjacent the wall of the web 26. The recesses or grooves 36 are adapted to receive snapon holding members to be subsequently described.

Each side of the web 26 is also provided with spaced longitudinal flanges 40 and 42 which are formed during extrusion of the I-beam 2t and which provides therebetween a groove 44 for the reception of fastening members or connectors as hereinafter described. The flanges 40 and 42 are curved toward each other near their respective bases and distal edges so that the groove 44 between the flanges of each pair is partially enclosed and is particylindrical in section.

The flanges 22 and 24 have their outer lateral edges reduced in thickness as indicated at 46. The inwardmost part of each reduced section 46 terminates in a longitudinally extending recess or groove 45 which is adapted to receive another portion of the clamp-on. fastener to be subsequently described.

Each of the vertical mullions 16 and 18 has four snapon members 47, 48, 49 and 58 of identical cross section which are adapted to. be put in place in conjunction with the I-beam 20 to hold the pane of glass r insulated panel in position. Each of the snap-on members comprises a Wall 52 having a short inwardly turned flange 54 thereon. Flange 54 has a knob or bead 56 on the outer end thereof which is adapted to be received in the groove 45 provided on the inner wall of the flange 22. The wall 52 has another inwardly turned flange 58 which is longer than the flange 54 and which has a knob or head 60 thereon which is adapted to be received in the groove 36 provided in the projection 28 or 30. The wall of the flange 58. facing the glass or panel has a dovetail shaped section 62 which is adapted to receive a neoprene sealing strip 64 as will be subsequently described.

The horizontally extending members 12 and 14 have substantially the same cross section and therefore the same numerical designations will be utilized in describing each. Each of the horizontal members 12 and 14 comprises two main parts, namely, a semi-hollow web member 78 and a cover 72 as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2. The member 70 has a wall 74 which has a pair of inwardly turned wall members 76 and 78. Intermediate the wall members 76 and 78 and extending from the inner surface 74 of the wall 70 is a flange or web 88 which extends a predetermined distance beyond the flange members 76 and 78. The inner surface of each wall member '76 and 78 is provided with spaced longitudinal flanges 84 and 86 formed during extrusion of the members which provide therebetween a groove 85 for the reception of fastening members or connectors as hereinafter described. The web 80 also has formed therewith a pair of curved flanges 98 and 91 which are curved toward each other so as to define a groove for receiving a fastening member as will be subsequently described. The distal edges of the flanges 98 and 91 are spaced apart. Extending outwardly from the flanges 90 and 91 on the web 80 is located a raised projection 94 having an outer inclined surface 96 thereon. On the opposite side of the web 88 is located a projection 98 which terminates in a pointed apex 188. The projections 94 and 98 have their inner portions curved so as to provide a groove therebetween which is adapted to receive a fastening member or connector as hereinafter described. The outer end of the flange or web 188 is designated by the numeral 102.

The wall members 76 and 78 have inturned flanges 104 and 106 respectively which terminate a predetermined distance from the web 88. The outer walls of the flanges 184 and 106 have dovetail grooves 108 provided therein which are adapted to carry weather sealing strips 118. After the glass has been put in place, the cover 72 is snapped on the web 80. so as to hold the glass panel 113 in a fixed position. The cover 72 has a Wall 114 and a pair of inwardly turned flanges 116 and 118. At the outer end of the flanges 116 and 118 are located flanges 128 and 122 which are parallel to flanges 184 and 186 and which are adapted to carry weather sealing strips 118.

Extending inwardly from the inner surface of the wall 114 is located a pair of parallel spaced flanges 138 and 132 which have on their outer ends raised or embossed portions 134 and 136 respectively. The embossed portions 134 and 136 are adapted to engage the projections 94 and 98 respectively when in an assembled position. Intermediate the flanges 132 and 138 is located a pair of parallel spaced ribs 138 and 140 which is adapted to receive the end 102 of the web 88 when the cover 72 is assembled.

After erecting the leftwardmost mullion 16, as shown in FIGURE 1, appropriate caulking material 158 is placed between the masonry 152 of the building and the longitudinally extending flange 24. A neoprene seal 154 is pro vided between masonry 152 and the interior flange 22. Also, the vertical members 12 and 14 have caulking material 156 and neoprene gaskets 158 provided as indicated in FIGURE 2. Such construction helps to provide the requisite weather tightness required.

FIGURE 4 represents a bottom view showing the specific manner in which the semi-hollow web member 70 is connected to the I-shaped beam 28. The member 79 has an end portion 160 which has its inner end surface 162 abutting the shoulder 164 provided on the flanges 22 and 24. Prior to the assembly of the outside snap-on members 47S0, a pair of threaded connectors 166, as is shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, is adapted to extend transversely through the web 20 into threaded engagement with the groove defined by the curved flanges 84 and 86. A pair of threaded connectors 170 and 172 extends transversely through the web 20 so that the connectors 172 and 170 are in threaded engagement with the curved projections 94 and 98 and the curved flanges 98 and 91 respectively.

After each of the horizontal parallel semi-hollow web members 70 has been secured to the I-beam 20 in the manner just described, the inner and opposite snap-on members 47 and 49 are snapped in place such that the end surfaces 174 and 176 (FIGURE 6) of each of said members abut the outer wall surfaces of the flanges 76 and 78 of the member 70. The horizontal and vertical neoprene weather sealing strips 64 and are inserted in the snap-on members and members 70. prior to assembly.

The pane of glass 113 is placed in the vertical frame opening such that the ends thereof are against the weather sealing strips 64 and 110.

The snap-on members 48 and 50 carrying the sealing strips 64 are then snapped into place. The/members 48 and 50 are longer than the members 47 and 49, as is shown in FIGURE 6, such that each of their end surfaces 177 and 178 extend beyond the ends of members 47 and 49 and terminate opposite from the webs 80 forming part of the horizontal members 12 and 14.

The pair of horizontal covers 72, with each cover having the sealing strip 110 thereon, is snapped onto the web 80 of the member 70. in the manner previously de scribed so as to. lock the panel of glass. 113v in a fixed position. The covers 72 each have their opposite ends 179, abutting the front end surfaces 181 and 182 of the snap-on members 48 and 50.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are a modification of the present invention. Where applicable, the same numerical designations are utilized. The essential difference between the structure shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 and the structure shown in FIGURE 2 is that the semi-hollow web member 70 and cover 72 of FIGURE 7 have shorter flanges 183 and 184 respectively than the corresponding flanges 78 and 116 of FIGURE 2. When in an assembled position, the spaced flanges 183. and 184 define a larger space therebetween which is adapted to hold therebetween an insulated panel 186 which is of a greater thickness than the glass panel 113. The snap-on char-. acteristic of the cover 72 with respect to the other member 70 is the same as for the other embodiment. In order to compensate for the increased width of the panel 186, the I-beam 20 is provided with alternate projections 187 extending laterally from opposite sides of the web 26 which are adapted to receive a shorter snap-on member 188 as shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 9 shows another embodiment of the vertical mullion as designated by the numeral 198. Instead of utilizingthe integralI-beam section 28, a pair of longitudinal members 192 and 194, each having an I-shaped cross section, is provided, with the members 192 and 194 being interconnected to form the box-shaped tubular mullion 1 90. The members 192 and 194 each have a longitudinally extending web 196 and 197 respectively. The web 196 has a pair of flanges 198 and 200. Flange 198 has a longitudinally extending slot 202. Flange 200 has a longitudinally extending lug 204.

The web 197 has a pair of flanges as designated by the numerals 206 and 208. Flange 208 has a longitudinally extending slot 210 which is adapted to receive the lug 204 of the member 192. Flange 206 is provided with lug 212 which is adapted to be inserted into the slot 202 of the other member 192. When the members 192 and 194 are assembled and fastened to the building, an integral mullion results. The Webs 196 and 197 each have projections and flanges similar to the I-beam 20 of FIGURE 3 and are therefore identified by the same numerical designations where applicable.

When panes of glass are utilized, the projections 28 and 30 are utilized with the standard snap-on members 47- 50. However, when insulated panels 186 are utilized, the projections 187 are utilized with corresponding snapon members 188 as shown in FIGURE 8. It should be understood that snap-on members 188 may be utilized with the mullion construction shown in FIGURE 3 or FIGURE 9.

Weep or breather holes are provided to drain condensation and prevent build-up of air in the curtain wall system. It should be noted that the I-beams 20, the semihollow web members 70, snap-on members 4750 and covers 72 are assembled in such a manner as to prevent water from entering the framework of the curtain wall system, thereby providing weather tightness under any Weather condition which produces a pressure difierential between the outside and inside of the curtain wall system.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improvement in curtain Wall in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A curtain wall construction comprising a pair of spaced vertical I-beams, each having a web connecting a pair of flanges of predetermined width, a pair of spaced horizontal members joining said I-beams to provide a frame opening, flange means on said horizontal members for positioning a closure panel in said frame opening, groove means on the inner wall of said flanges, a pair of grooved ribs extending laterally from each of said webs, and a pair of vertical snap-on members for each of said I-beams, each snap-on member having a wall and a pair of flanges, said snap-on members being adapted to be assembled with the I-beam on opposite sides of said closure panel so that the flanges thereof are received in said groove means and said grooved ribs, the walls of said snap-on members being flush with the ends of said first mentioned flanges.

2. A curtain wall construction defined in claim 1 wherein a horizontal snap-on member is provided for each of said horizontal members, which is adapted to hold said closure panel against the flange means provided on the horizontal member.

3. A curtain wall construction defined in claim 2 wherein said vertical and horizontal snap-on members are removable.

4. A curtain wall construction comprising a pair of spaced vertical I-beams, each having a web connecting a pair of flanges of predetermined width, a pair of spaced horizontal members joining said I-beams to provide a frame opening, flange means on said horizontal members for positioning a closure panel in said frame opening, groove means on the inner wall of said flanges, a pair of grooved ribs extending laterally from each of said webs, and a pair of vertical snap-on members for each of said I-beams, each snap-on member having a wall and a pair of flanges, said snap-on members being adapted to be assembled with the I-beam on opposite sides of said closure panel so that the flanges thereof are received in said groove means and said grooved ribs, a horizontal snap-on member for each of said horizontal members and including end portions adapted to abut the walls of said vertical snap-on members, said horizontal snap-on member holding said closure panel against the flange means provided on the horizontal member.

5. A curtain wall construction defined in claim 4 wherein the walls of said vertical snap-on members are flush with the ends of said first mentioned flanges.

6. A curtain wall construction defined in claim 4 wherein said vertical and horizontal snap-on members are removable.

7. In a window assembly, a pair of spaced vertical mullions, each having a web and a pair of flanges of predetermined width at opposite edges of said web, said pair of flanges extending in the same direction and being substantially perpendicular to said web, a pair of spaced horizontal members joining said mullions to provide a frame opening, flange means on said horizontal members for positioning a closure panel in said frame opening, groove means on the inner surface of said flanges, a pair of grooved ribs extending laterally in the same direction from each of said webs, and a pair of vertical snap-on members for each of said mullions, each snap-on member having a wall and a pair of flanges, said pair of vertical snap-on members being adapted to be assembled with one of the mullions on opposite sides of said closure panel so that the flanges thereof are received in said groove means and said grooved ribs, the outer surface of the walls of said snap-on members being substantially flush with the ends of said first mentioned flanges.

8. The structure defined in claim 7 wherein a hori zontal snap-on member is provided for each of said horizontal members, which is adapted to hold said closure panel against the flange means provided on the horizontal member.

9. The structure defined in claim 8 wherein said vertical and horizontal snap-on members are removable.

10. The structure defined in claim 7 wherein a horizontal snap-on member is provided for each of said horizontal members and including end portions adapted to abut the walls of said vertical snap-on members, said horizontal snap-on member holding said closure panel against the flange means provided on the horizontal member.

11. The structure defined in claim 7 wherein one of the flanges of each of said vertical snap-on members is longer than the other flange.

12. The structure defined in claim 11 wherein the smaller flange of each of said vertical snap-on members includes a portion which is received in the groove means in the corresponding flange of one of the mullions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,604,061 Estey July 22, 1952 2,736,403 Gwynne Feb. 28, 1956 2,867,856 Cudini Jan. 13, 1959 2,914,145 Benson Nov. 24, 1959 2,918,708 Sharp et al Dec. 29, 1959 2,963,126 Cudini Dec. 6, 1960 

4. A CURTAIN WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL I-BEAMS, EACH HAVING A WEB CONNECTING A PAIR OF FLANGES OF PREDETERMINED WIDTH, A PAIR OF SPACED HORIZONTAL MEMBERS JOINING SAID I-BEAMS TO PROVIDE A FRAME OPENING, FLANGE MEANS ON SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS FOR POSITIONING A CLOSURE PANEL IN SAID FRAME OPENING, GROOVE MEANS ON THE INNER WALL OF SAID FLANGES, A PAIR OF GROOVED RIBS EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM EACH OF SAID WEBS, AND A PAIR OF VERTICAL SNAP-ON MEMBERS FOR EACH OF SAID I-BEAMS, EACH SNAP-ON MEMBER HAVING A WALL AND A PAIR OF FLANGES, SAID SNAP-ON MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO BE ASSEMBLED WITH THE I-BEAM ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CLOSURE PANEL SO THAT THE FLANGES THEREOF ARE RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVE MEANS AND SAID GROOVED RIBS, A HORIZONTAL SNAP-ON MEMBER FOR EACH OF SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS AND INCLUDING END PORTIONS ADAPTED TO ABUT THE WALLS OF SAID VERTICAL SNAP-ON MEMBERS, SAID HORIZONTAL SNAP-ON MEMBER HOLDING SAID CLOSURE PANEL AGAINST THE FLANGE MEANS PROVIDED ON THE HORIZONTAL MEMBER. 